A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Elio Grasso

The Elio Grasso estate conists of 18 ha and produces ca 90.000 bottles per year. Martina showed med the impressive cellar and poured these fine wines.

2022 Dolcetto d´Alba Dei Grasso

A fine depth with notes of ripe blueberries, licorice, iron and fresh herbs. Very, very good.

The taste is structured and fine with silky tannins and notes of damsons, blueberries and a hint of dark chocolate. 6+ years.

89p   (tasted 2023/07)

2022 Langhe Nebbiolo

In 2022 there won´t be a Runcot bottling so that is included in this wine. A open, fresh nose with notes of wild strawberries, licorice and Langhe earth.

The taste is elegant and fine with notes of red cherries, violets and licorice. Very, very good. 4+ years.

91p   (tasted 2023/07)

2019 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera

From 40 year old vines this very fine wine oozes up from the glass with notes of ripe cherries, salmiak, licorice and forest floor. Very fine.

The taste is handsome and refined with notes of hard cherry candy, licorice, asphalt and fir wood. Lovely. 8+ years.

94p   (tasted 2023/07)

2019 Barolo Ginestra Case Maté

The Case Maté is what dreams are made of, at least mine. The nose is very deep and intense with gorgeous notes of wild strawberries, sun warm rocks, mushrooms and hints of fennel. Stunning.

The taste is tight and perfectly balanced with notes of hard cherry candy, licorice, slate and minerals. Very, very long. Aristocratic. 10+ years. 

96p   (tasted 2023/07)

2015 Barolo Riserva Runcot

Runcot comes from a 1,5 ha vineyard in Ginestra and is brought up in 100% new barriques. The nose of the 2015 is deep and restrained with notes of ripe cherries, pipe tobacco, forest floor and hint of oak. Very fine.

The taste is tight and structured with broad tannins, lots of sweet black fruit and a minute long finish. There is some oaky notes in the long finish that will need 8+ years to integrate. 

94p   (tasted 2023/07)

Six Bottles Of Bubbly

Last tasting of the season in our tasting group and according to tradition we finish with Champagne. H arranged a interesting tasting with bottles from small producers from the great 2008 vintage. 

Tasted double blind.

2008 Prestige, Serge Pierlot

A elegant, fine nose with notes of dry caramel, white flowers and lemon cream. A fine salty note.

The taste is cool and creamy with notes of lemon zest, mieral and dry fudge. A fine acidity. Still young.

91p   (tasted 2023/06)

2008 Brut, Jean-Yves de Carlini

A tight, steely nose with notes of of yellow plums, smoke and chrushed rocks. Very, very good.

The taste is young and tight with notes of iron, elder berries and dried plums. A medium long finish. Needs time, 4+ years.

88p   (tasted 2023/06)

2008 Paradis, A. Boatas

This Blanc de Blancs is a beauty. The nose is pure and elegant with notes of lemon cream, birch leafs, butter fudge and sweet minerals.

The taste is cool and focused with notes of white flowers, grilled lemons and lots of chalk. A very fine acidity. 4+ years.

93p   (tasted 2023/06)

2008 Cuvée Prestige, Gaudrillet

70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. A deep, smoky nose with notes of red apples, elder berries and dark minerals. It changes in the glass, from time to time it appears a tad shallow.

The taste is young and nicely balanced with a fine acidity and nice fruit. A bit short on the finish. 

86p   (tasted 2023/06)

2008 Blanc de Blanc, Benoit Munier

This zero dosage Champagne is a stunner. A deep, complex nose with notes of dry caramel, sun warm grass, cold coffee and tiles. Very interesting. Lots of ripe red currants.

The taste shows a hint of maturity alongside a fine acidity and boatloads of ripe yellow fruit. Very, very long. Lovely. Blanc de Blancs.

94p   (tasted 2023/06)

2008 Clos des Bergeronneau VV, Florent Bergeronneau

All Pinot Meunier. The nose is broad and deep with notes of autumn apples, almond paste, kumin and sun warm rocks. Some maturity. Very, very good.

The taste is high and a bit rough around the edges with notes of ripe red fruits, gravel, almonds and autumn leafs. Long and fine. 

90p   (tasted 2023/06)

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Fortemasso

The view from Fortemasso with a full exposure of Vignarionda 

This is a fairly new estate, their first vintage was 2013. 9 ha in total, 4 of which is in the MGA Castelleto, 1 ha in Vigna Storica Pressenda and 3 ha in San Sebastiano di Monforte d´Alba. They produce ca 50.000 bottles per year. 

I tasted their Barolo at Grandi Langhe and was very impressed so a visit felt necessary. 

Annalisa and Francesca showed me the great building and poured the wines below.

2022 Langhe Nebbiolo

A cool, elegant nose with notes of red cherries, asphalt and fresh flowers. Very, very good.

The taste is light and delicate with cherry pips, chrushed rocks and a fine perfumed note. 3+ years.

88p   (tasted 2023/07)

2022 Dolcetto d´Alba

Only the second vintage of Dolcetto. A pure, fine nose with notes of blueberry bushes, bakelite and violets.

The taste is nicely structured around cool, silky tannins a fine blueberry and damson fruit. 5+ years.

89p   (tasted 2023/07)

2021 Barbera d´Alba Superior

A more large scaled, spicy nose with notes of ripe raspberries, licorice, moist earth and herbs.

The taste is tight but finely balanced with notes of raspberry licorice, asphalt and bonfire smoke. Long and warm. 3+ years.

88p   (tasted 2023/07)

2018 Barolo Castelletto

A lovely, delicate nose with notes of cinnamon, red cherries, incense and roses. Very fine.

The taste is balanced and handsome with very fine cherry fruit, silky tannins a long, structured finish. 7+ years.

93p   (tasted 2023/07)

2013 Barolo Castelletto

Francesca were ever so kind to open a bottle of their first vintage, after a discussion of the vintages of 21 century, where I stated that for me, the 2013 vintage is the best since 2001. 

The nose shows a hint of maturity with fine balsamic notes alongside notes of dried cherries, forest floor and licorice. 

The taste is fine and seedy with notes of dried cherries, forest floor, dried flowers and some mushrooms. The tannins are a tad more rugged than the 2018. 4+ years.

92p   (tasted 2023/07)

2016 Barolo Riserva Castelletto

Only ca 2000 bottles made of this beauty. The nose is a dream with boatloads of tar & roses besides notes of hard cherry candy, incense and licorice. A very pure old scool Barolo nose. Gorgeous.

The taste is pure, structured and balanced with a intensity and refinement that is hard to describe. A candidate for perfection in 8+ years time. Kudos!

97p   (tasted 2023/07)

2018 Dolcetto d´Alba, Giovanni Corino

2018 Dolcetto d´Alba, Giovanni Corino

A very good, rounded nose with notes of iron, dried blackberries, fir wood and herbs. A hint of maturity.

The taste is more direct and ascetic with some dry tannins and notes of blueberry bushes, iron and dried herbs. More rewarding on the nose.

86p   (tasted 2023/07)

2005 Rully 1er Cru Les Cloux, Paul Jacqueson

2005 Rully 1er Cru Les Cloux, Paul Jacqueson

A maturing, earthy nose with notes of dried raspberries, old root vegetables, herbs, fresh stables and red beets. Not that deep but interesting and with a low keyed intensity.

The taste is medium bodied and round with notes of ripe lingonberries, earth, dried raspberries, rhubarb and a ever so slight hint of mint. Drinking very fine today.

89p   (tasted 2023/07)

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Ferdinando Principiano

My first visit to this estate that I have heard much about. Nicolò took great care of me and poured some fantastic wines.

2018 Alta Langa Leonardo

First out a 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay blend from Alta Langa (there were many stories during my visits about the amount of estates byuing land in Alta Langa). The nose is steely and fresh with notes of lemon zest, white flowers and minerals. Very, very good.

The taste is silky and pure with a cleansing acidity and notes of red apple skin, lemons and sand. 

90p   (tasted 2023/07)

2021 Langhe Bianco

Made from Timorasso from 1,5 ha in Serravalle not far from La Coccinella. A high, spicy nose with notes of tangerines, salt rocks and dried up passionfruit.

The taste is cool and rather elegant with a good acidity (which usually lacks in Timorasso from my experience) but a tad short in the finish.

87p   (tasted 2023/07)

2022 Dolcetto d´Alba

A fine, salivating Dolcetto nose with notes of blueberry bushes, licorice, violets and iron. Very, very good.

The taste is young and juicy with perky tannins and lots of fresh blueberries and damsons. 6+ years.

88p   (tasted 2023/07)

(2022) Dosset

A Dolcetto made like it was in the old days. There is a fun sentence in the book - Barolo / Tar and Roses by M. Garner and P. Merritt - "the story goes that if you analysed an Albes´s blood sample, it would contain at least 50 per cent Dolcetto". Only 11% alcohol. Dosset is Dolcetto in Piedmont language. 

The nose is upfront, light and lively with notes of ripening blueberries, earth and some herbs.

The taste is light and flirty with a tiny tannin bite and juicy blueberries. Easy going, it would be easy to gulp down a bottle single handedly.

86p   (tasted 2023/07)

2021 Barbera d´Alba

A open, fine Barbera nose with notes of raspberry licorice, Langhe earth, sun warm rocks and a hint of mature bananas! Very, very good.

The taste is open and fresh with a very fine acidity and notes of ripe raspberries, chrushed rocks and warm herbs.

88p   (tasted 2023/07)

2021 Langhe Nebbiolo

Another example of a very fine 2021 Langhe Nebbiolo (almost all producers raved about the quality of 2021 Baroli, Grandi Langhe in 2025 will be a must). The nose is delicate and refined with a fine mix of red and blue fruits, a hint of rubber, licorice and roses.

The taste is cool and silky with a fine tension and notes of wild strawberries, licorice and roses. Very, very good. 3+ years.

90p   (tasted 2023/07)

2019 Barolo Del Commune di Serralunga

A fine, elegant nose with notes of hard cherry candy, smoke, forest floor and violets. A little low keyed in a classic way.

The taste is finely tuned and refined with polished tannins and notes of ripe cherries, licorice, incense and a hint of tobacco. Very fine. 6+ years

92p   (tasted 2023/07)

2019 Barolo Ravera di Monforte

From a plot planted in 1934 with the Michet grape. Only 3000 bt made. The nose is deep and dark with notes of dark bread, (over)ripe strawberries, moist earth and all over a high, refined perfumed scent. 

The taste is tight, structured and willful with notes of black cherries, warm sand, mushrooms and dark licorice. Very fine tannins. Very long and fine. 8+ years.

94p   (tasted 2023/07)

2019 Barolo Boscareto

Whole bunch fermented and the grapes are chrushed by foot. The nose is high, very floral and racy with notes of wild strawberries, sand, licorice and leather. Very, very deep. Just stunning.

The taste is young, refined and brilliant with everything albeit maturity in place. Awesome fruit and balance. In 10+ years...

96p   (tasted 2023/07)

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Flavio Saglietto

This was one of those visits. More pics than tasting notes. Why?

 

Because Flavio is cut from the same mold as Loris (Cascina del Monastero - Barolista: A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visits To Cascina Del Monastero & Mauro Molino), Nicola and Elio (Trediberri / Elio Sandri - Barolista: The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - Visits To Trediberri & Elio Sandri) and Silvano (Silvano Bolmida - Barolista: A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Silvano Bolmida).

From the time you arrive until you leave you are taken on a intense, energy filled ride full of insight, opions, observations and predictions. Always with a glimpse in the eye.

If you´re lucky you sometimes get the chance to ask a question. :-)

But these visits are an absolute treat and I have enjoyed every minute of them. And also learned a lot.

With Flavio I tasted Dolcetto, Barbera and Barolo from tank and cask, all in all 12 different wines in different stages. The Baroli was 2022, 2021 and 2020.

The estate is on the small side, 5,5 ha producing ca 22.000 bottles per year. First vintage with Flavio´s name on the label was the 1996.

If you´re visiting Flavio, which you should, don´t trust Google maps, I found myself in the middle of the vineyards before getting on the right track, thanks to Flavio. Google thought I had a tractor...

We eventually sat down and Flavio opened a bottle of his 2019 Barolo.

2019 Barolo Cerequio

A cool, handsome nose with notes of red cherries, Langhe earth, roses and hints of chocolate. Very fine.

The taste is young and tight with notes of ripe cherries, licorice, asphalt and chocolate biscuits. Very long. 8+ years.

92p   (tasted 2023/07)

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Ribote

The Ribote estate is located in Dogliani. I met up with Christina who showed me the vines, the cellar and poured the wines below.

Bruno Porra, who´s name is on the label, is Christinas and Fabrizios father, who started the estate 45 years ago. Ribote was the name of the estate before Bruno took over and the name was kept. 

The artist who has drawn the labels is the same artist who have made labels for Vietti, Bruno Rocca, Marziano Abbona and many others.

2022 Langhe Bianco

Made from Viognier. A cool, herbal nose with notes of lemon peel, steel and banana peel. A fine spicy scent.

The taste is young and seedy with notes of dry passionfruit, lemon peel and herbs. A very good acidity.

87p   (tasted 2023/07)

2022 Dogliani San Luigi

Bottled four months ago. The nose is fresh and upfront with notes of sloe berries, iron and violets. Very good.

The taste is tight and dry with a good blueberry fruit and notes of iron and violets. Maybe a tad short.

86p   (tasted 2023/07)

2022 Dogliani Ribote

A high, intense nose with a fine mix of raspberries and blueberries with additional notes of chrushed rocks and wild flowers. Very, very good.

The taste is taut and lively with very fine tannins and juicy blueberry fruit. Long and fine. 

90p   (tasted 2023/07)

2019 Dogliani Superiore

A deep, dark, gorgeous nose with notes of ripe damsons, blackberries, almost a meaty note and a touch of mint. Very fine.

The taste is ripe and refined with notes of candied cherries, dry licorice, bakelite and sweet violets. Very fine tannins. 8+ years.

92p   (tasted 2023/07)

2019 Langhe Barbera Iris

A open, warm, spicy nose with notes of wild raspberries, scorched earth and Finnish licorice. Very good.

The taste is high and warm with a good raspberry fruit, a fine acidity and a long, soft finish.

87p   (tasted 2023/07)

2021 Langhe Nebbiolo

A cool, fresh Nebbiolo nose with notes of cinnamon, roses and ripening red cherries. Very, very good.

The taste is elegant and crisp with notes of ripening flowers, spices and minerals. Silky low keyd tannins. 4+ years.

91p   (tasted 2023/07)

2018 Barolo

A finely perfumed nose with notes of wild strawberries, paint, dry licorice and forest floor. Lovely.

The taste is young and seedy with a fine intensity and notes of red cherries, dried strawberries, earth and a touch of mint. Very fine. 8+ years.

93p   (tasted 2023/07)

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Cascina Bongiovanni

This small winery. located in Castiglione Falletto, consists of 7 ha and produces ca 50.000 bottles per year. Marina took patience of me being late and poured the estates wines.

2022 Langhe Arneis

A fresh, juicy Arneis with the typical white pepper scent alongside notes of herbs and white currants. Very, very good.

The taste is pure and upfront with notes of basil, lemon pepper and minerals. One of the better Arneis tasted in a long time.

90p   (tasted 2023/07)

2021 Dolcetto d´Alba

A young, sappy nose with notes of blueberry bushes, chrushed rocks and bakelite. Very good.

The taste is pure and basic with cool tannins and a fine blueberry fruit. For everyday drinking.

86p   (tasted 2023/07)

2021 Dolcetto di Diano d´Alba

The Dolcetto from Diano d´Alba is another creature. This has more meat on its bone with a fine structure, very good ripe blueberry fruit, violets and smoke.

The taste is tight and refined with a fine mix of raspberries and blueberries, smoke and sweet violets. Very, very good.

90p   (tasted 2023/07)

2020 Barbera d´Alba

A fine, slightly meaty Barbera with notes of smoke, herbs and rioe raspberries. Very, very good.

The taste is warm and upfront with juicy red fruit and av very good acidity.

87p   (tasted 2023/07)

2020 Langhe Rosso Faletto

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera and Nebbiolo. Thankfully these kind of blends has almost vanished from the Langhe scene. Not that this is a bad wine. Far from it, but the grapes in a way blends together and I don´t get a distinct character. Good fruit, nicely made, got to give it that.

88p   (tasted 2023/07)

2020 Langhe Nebbiolo

The grapes comes from Castiglione Falletto and Monforte. Short maceration with shows itself in a upfront, juicy nose with notes of fresh cherries, flowers and paint.

The taste is silky and flowery with polished tannins and ripe cherry fruit. Long, balanced and very fine.

91p   (tasted 2023/07)

Marina, justifiably proud over the wines

2019 Barolo

The 19 Barolo shows of a open, red fruited nose with notes of strawberries, sweet earth, herbs and smoke.

The taste is young and finely balanced with notes of sandelwood, dried flowers and cherries. A long, sandy finish. 6+ years.

92p   (tasted 2023/07)

2018 Barolo Pernanno

The 18 Pernanno is a beauty. The nose is handsome and velvety with notes of hard cherry candy, forest floor and violets. Very fine.

The taste is concentrated and refined with silky tannins, gorgeous fruit and a long, long finish. Give this 8+ years and my score will be conservative.

94p   (tasted 2023/07)

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Damilano

This very large producer, with 58 ha of land, has a long history. Giuseppe Borgogno started the winery in 1890. Now they put out +300.000 bottles per year.

I was keen to taste if quantity and quality could go hand in hand. Anita at the Damilano cantina took great care of me on my visit.

2017 Millesimato

A blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A good, buttery nose with notes of dark biscuits, nuts and yellow fruits. 

The taste is medium bodied with fine bubbles and notes of biscuits, ripe lemons and grass. A good acidity. 

86p   (tasted 2023/07)

2019 Barolo Del Commune di Serralunga

The first vintage of this commune wine from Serralunga. The nose is open and nice but lacks a bit of focus. Notes of dried strawberries and dusty earth.

The taste is dry and nicely structured but the fruit is hidden and doesn´t show itself. A good finish though. 

85p   (tasted 2023/07)

2019 Barolo Cannubi

This is good. The nose is deep and tight with a cool cherry fruit and notes of violets, licorice and warm earth. Very, very good.

The taste is young and broad with salivating tannins and notes of paint, ripe cherries and earth. Very long. 8+ years. Damilano rents 10 ha (!) in Cannubi on a long lease. 

92p   (tasted 2023/07)

2018 Barolo Liste

A high, interesting nose with notes of iodine, candied cherries, and a nicely perfumed scent, but doesn´t have a real lift.

The taste is tight and nicely structured with cool tannins but the fruit is a bit subdued. Maybe time will help. 8+ years.

88p   (tasted 2023/07)

2014 Barolo Cannubi

Talking about different vintages, Anita was ever so kind to open a 14 Cannubi. The nose is earthy and mature with notes of cold coffee, dried cherries, licorice and asphalt. Lots of undergrowth. Very, very good.

The taste is more restrained and shy with notes of dried cherries, forest floor, dried flowers and coffee powder. For drinking now and the coming 4+ years.

88p   (tasted 2023/07)

2018 Barolo Lecinquevigne

A tight, structured nose with notes raspberry candy, asphalt, smoke and herbs. A tad foursquare.

The taste is medium bodied with nice enough red fruit but the foursquare note is evident on the palate as well.

84p   (tasted 2023/07)

What to say about this large scaled producer and its Baroli (although I didn´t taste the whole range)?

All wines are cleanly made, there are no faults, they may even be too pure in a sense, because they lack a kind of personality. They feel, even though the quality is there, "made".

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Francesco Borgogno

Arrived earlier today, a quick stop at the apartment I rented, then directly to the first visit. 

The estate consists of 8 ha and they produce ca 45.000 bottles per year. 1958 was there first vintage with the Francesco Borgogno name on the label. They started to vinify Brunate separately in 1986.

The only bottle I have previous tasted from the estate is a 1993 - Barolista: Friday Dinner Barolo - 1993 Barolo Vigneti Brunate, Francesco Borgogno.

Silvia took great care of me and poured these wines.

2021 Barbera d´Alba

The grapes comes from Monforte. The nose is pure, plummy and a tad rich with notes of licorice, ripe raspberries and herbs.

The taste is warm and nicely structured with a good acidity and nice raspberry fruit. 

87p   (tasted 2023/07)

2021 Langhe Nebbiolo

La Morra grapes. A cool, refined nose with notes of red cherries, fresh flowers and smoke. Very good.

The taste is young, fresh and tight with nice red fruit and silky tannins. A good length. 4+ years.

88p   (tasted 2023/07)

40+ years old Garbeletto casks

2019 Barolo Brunate

This is a beauty with a open, floral nose with notes of dried flowers, shoecream and dried cherries. Very fine in a lovely old school way.

The taste is medium bodied and perfumed with notes of paint, mint and dried up cherry liquor. Long and fine. 6+ years.

93p   (tasted 2023/07)

2018 Barolo Castellero

This is the first vintage of the the estates Castellero. Deeper and darker than the Brunate, it displays notes of black cherries, hints of chocolate, bonfire smoke and some violets. Very, very good.

The taste is structured and tight with silky tannins, ripe black cherries and long forest floor filled finish. Needs time, 8+ years.

92p   (tasted 2023/07)